The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has called for a ‘balanced and pragmatic approach' to automated vehicle (AV) regulation, with a focus on safety, sustainability and ‘the effective operation of the UK's transport networks'.
In response to the Government's recent call for evidence for the development of the Automated Vehicles Regulatory Framework, CIHT stated that it welcomed the potential benefits of automation, but stressed that AV deployment ‘must align with established transport policy objectives' such as decarbonisation, accessibility, place-based planning and public health
Sue Percy FCIHT CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said: ‘Automated vehicles have the potential to deliver real benefits, particularly in improving safety and accessibility, but they must be introduced in a way that supports a sustainable and integrated transport system. Regulation should ensure that automation works for people and places, not against them.'
The organisation added that AVs need to be integrated in ways that complement active travel and public transport, rather than competing with them.
It argued that AV services should be focussed on strengthening public transport networks and be used to support ‘first-mile and last-mile journeys' in ways that don't undermine local priorities such as 15-minute cities and 20-minute neighbourhoods.
CIHT also noted that AVs will need to operate safely within ‘complex, real-world environments' such as on roads with temporary layouts, variable speed limits and with road markings that are sometimes inconsistent.
Due to this, it stated that local authorities will need both financial and technical support to adapt to ‘manage the additional demands' that come with adapting networks to AVs, such as digital mapping, data management and cybersecurity.
CIHT stressed that AVs must meet a ‘high and transparent' safety threshold to operate on the UK road network, stating that it supports regulatory approaches that ‘enable ongoing monitoring of safety performance' alongside clear standards regarding data sharing and public reporting in order to build ‘trust and confidence among all road users'.
Ms Percy added: ‘Getting the regulatory framework right from the outset is critical. This includes clear national standards, a fair and transparent approach to liability, and sustained support for local authorities who will be on the frontline of managing automated vehicles on our roads.'
The full CIHT response can be found here.
